Jeff McLane and Zach Berman

Chip Kelly showed another example of his unconventional thinking when he revealed Thursday that the players’ off day this season will be Mondays, and they will practice Tuesday-Saturday during a normal game week.

All 31 other NFL teams have Tuesday off, according to CBSSports.com. Under Andy Reid, the players came to the facility on Monday to meet, and did not start the week of practice until Wednesday.

"The whole practice regimen is designed to make us the most physically ready for game days,” center Jason Kelce said.

It will be an adjustment to many of the players, but much of what Kelly does is different than other NFL teams. The players were not questioning Kelly when they heard about it.

“At the end of the day, it’s work,” cornerback Cary Williams said. “We do what our coach asks us to do. …Whatever he has scheduled for us, he has scheduled for us.”

Injury update

Guard Todd Herremans returned to practice on Thursday after missing two days with inflammation in his left knee. He plans to play Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Safety Kenny Phillips also participated on Thursday after missing time with a quad injury. Phillips, an injury-prone safety signed during the offseason, needs to play to improve his chances of making the roster.

One player who is missing much-needed time is cornerback Curtis Marsh. He had a plate inserted into his right hand during surgery for a fractured hand and does not expect out to be out too long. Although he’s on the roster bubble, the 2011 third-round pick has not lost confidence.

"I feel like I'm one of the best CBs on this team and could be one of the best in the league,” Marsh said.

Tra Thomas added to the coaching staff

The Eagles hired former offensive lineman Tra Thomas to the coaching staff as an offensive assistant. Thomas had been working with the team as part of the minority internship coaching and impressed Kelly.

“I think the experience he brings…he can relate to the offensive linemen,” Kelly said. “It was kind of a no-brainer for us to make sure we could keep him here through the season.”

Thomas said he’s looking forward to working with the offensive linemen, understanding that they’re not all three-time Pro Bowlers like he was.

“You try to teach as much as I can,” Thomas said, “and hopefully they’ll take to it.”